India’s batting coach blames Shubman Gill-Gautam Gambhir for Karun Nair treatment

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has revealed that India's decision to drop Karun Nair from the Manchester Test was a joint decision made by coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill.

India recalled their batter Karun Nair for the England 5-match red-ball tour. The batter was picked after several commendable seasons in domestic cricket and made a comeback into the national side after a long gap of 8 years. He is one of the two Indian batters to have scored a Test match triple century.

First offered the role of a no. 6 batter at Headingley, he was eventually promoted up the order to no. 3 in Birmingham and Lord's. However, despite having made some good starts, Nair could amass only 131 runs in 6 innings and was eventually dropped from the playing 11, as India advanced for a do-or-die Test at Old Trafford.

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Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir held responsible for Karun Nair's snub

After the end of Day 4's play, the Indian team's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, was asked why Karun Nair was dropped from the Indian team for the Manchester Test.

He revealed that it was a joint decision taken by the Captain, Shubman Gill, and the Head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Kotak has no discretion to speak on the context. However, he also stated that when Gill earlier stated that the team would back Nair, he probably meant back as a batter.

"Selection matters coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill can talk about, but it will not be right talking about it. When Gill said we will back Karun, he would have meant back him as a batter. He didn’t do badly, got starts," Kotak was quoted by Sahil Malhotra.

Though Kotak said Nair had gotten some good starts, he also acknowledged the fact that the drop was a strategic move to potentially increase India's chances in the Test and add more to the dynamic batting order. Sai Sudharsan replaced Nair and scored a 61 in the first innings before being dismissed for a golden duck in the next inning.

Sitanshu Kotak on India dropping Karun Nair: Selection matters coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill can talk about but it will not be right talking about it. When Gill said we will back Karun he would have meant back him as a batter. He didn’t do badly, got starts.

— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) July 26, 2025

Will injured Rishabh Pant bat on Day 5 at Manchester?

Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant will bat on Day 5 of the Manchester Test, said batting coach Sutanshu Kotak on Saturday. Pant's audacious shot against Chris Woakes ruled him out for the remainder of the Test with a possible foot fracture.

However, the batter showed some extraordinary courage in taking the field when India needed him later on Day 3. Since Day 1, the intentions were clear: Pant won't keep but will come out to bat if the team needs him.

"Rishabh will bat tomorrow," said Kotak after stumps on day four.

Batting coach praises promising Gill-Rahul partnership

Batting coach Kotak seemed to be pleased by captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul's unbeaten 174* stand despite losing two wickets in the first over of the game. India still trails by 137 on Day 5, but the performance of the two batters has caught the eye of the batting instructor.

"A five-day wicket will have wear and tear but it is playing fine barring the odd ball turning. They (Shubman Gill and KL Rahul) batted with a lot of belief and determination. It is tough when you lose two early wickets.

"But I think at lunchtime also, they had that belief that we will take some time, see first 10-15 overs and then take it from there. So, absolutely brilliant the way they batted," Kotak confirmed that Gill is reaping the benefits of the change in mindset.

"And I think he successfully played certain shots and successfully avoided playing certain shots," added Kotak.

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